Apollo - Sixpoint Brewery

Chickenhawk9932

Pennsylvania

4.28/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours a pale, hazy yellow almost green with a frothy white - little retention.

Smell lemon, sour, yeasty bread and banana.

Sour upfront, a little wheat & banana in the middle with bitter lemon and green apple in the finish. A very tart refreshing beer.

Serving type: can

06-26-2012 01:09:21 | More by Chickenhawk9932

DefenCorps

Oregon

3.95/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Single from Chevy Chase. Best by 18th August 2012.

Faintly hazy, this beer is dark orange with a white head that quickly recedes leaving nothing. Oh well. The nose is better, though. It's clear a fairly aggressive yeast was used in brewing this beer, as there's just a ton of clove character coupled with a moderate banana aroma. A little honey and caramel are also present. There is also a moderate fruity tartness present, like almost-ripe peaches. Not very wheaty IMO.

The palate opens with a blend of clove and a tart wheat flavor that's light and refreshing. This is followed by some banana and a little honey. Rather clean and crisp on the palate (i.e. not "soft" like a hefeweizen), this beer is light in body, has a medium-high level of carbonation and a nice, drying finish that's spicy and fruity. The tartness is an unexpected characteristic that, while not usual for the style, is an enjoyable characteristic. Recommended.

Serving type: can

06-24-2012 05:35:12 | More by DefenCorps

ThisWangsChung

Maryland

4.08/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

16 oz. can poured into a weizen glass.

A: Pours a lustrous golden amber color with low clarity, more fitting of a proper hefe than a filtered version. The head, on the other hand, lacks the wonderful texture of a typical hefe, but it is a three finger offwhite color with thick bubbles that ultimately settles down to a little under one finger. Tiny specks of lacing on the glass.

S: Very strong banana scent, almost to the point where it starts to smell like glorified banana bread. There are also a bit of spices, such as coriander and clove hidden underneath.

T: It starts with a strong banana flavor (surprising) augmented by a pleasant tartness, before giving way to a wheaty malt upsurge near the finish. I've never had a weizen truly like this one - Sixpoint have done a great job getting yeast esters into the flavor profile without weighing down the palate with heaviness and astringency, all while providing an excellent tart sensation.

M: The finish and aftertaste aren't overly heavy from the yeast, though the body in general is still a little thicker than I like. Carbonation is about spot on for the general style.

O: Weizens are are one of my favorite styles, and this nicely breaks out of the traditional mold without coming across as recklessly experimental. It's not better than the weizens from Weihenstephaner, Ayinger, or Sierra Nevada, but it easily deserves to be placed in the same conversation as them.

Serving type: can

06-23-2012 18:56:05 | More by ThisWangsChung

VelvetExtract

Massachusetts

4.15/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A-Pours a lightly murky orange color. The body is translucent, but it glows. Nearly no head. Head is mostly just a layer along the rim of the glass.

S-Wow. Very, very spicy.Bananas riddled with clove. Tapioca pudding and sweet bread. Yeasty and peppery. I get a rubbery aroma too. Very interesting. Potent and exuberantly spiced.

T-Plenty of flavor here. I enjoyed the flavor more than the nose because the spice was effectively counterbalanced by other flavors. Tart apple cider and unripened bananas. Quite wheaty. Spice is still stressed but is not overwhelming. A nice citrus hoppiness play out on the palate too. Very tasty and it grows on you.

M-Body is fuller than I expected it to be. Massaging carbonation. A bit slick. Imbibable.

O/D-I did not think I would enjoy this as much as I did. There is a great addition of both sourness and hoppiness to the flavor. Really unique, complex and cool. I have been waiting to try this and it did not disappoint. Sixpoint brews cool beers and leaves the stylistic restraints by the wayside.

Serving type: can

06-23-2012 04:53:00 | More by VelvetExtract

superspak

Michigan

4/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

16 ounce can into weizen glass, best by 8/18/2012. Pours lightly hazy golden amber color with a nice 3 finger dense white head with great retention, that reduces to a nice cap that lasts. Some good spotty lacing on the glass, with plenty of carbonation streaming up. Aromas of big banana, orange, bubblegum, biscuit, clove, herbal, and floral. Very nice and well balanced aromas with nice complexity. Taste of big banana, orange, pear, lemon, biscuit, clove, bubblegum, herbal, floral, and tangy wheat. Lingering notes of citrus, banana, biscuit, herbal, bubblegum, and light tanginess on the finish for a short bit. Nice balance of flavors; with more of a sweet flavor presence over spicy esters. Finish is fairly dry. Medium carbonation and body; with a lightly creamy and slick moutfeel. Alcohol is completely hidden as expected for 5.2%. Overall this is a damn nice Kristalweizen! Very nice flavor balance and complexity; and extremely smooth to drink. I really have no complaints, very enjoyable stuff.

Serving type: can

06-20-2012 01:35:45 | More by superspak

Kendo

New York

4/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Poured from the 16 oz can into a weizen glass. Body is ever-so-slightly hazy golden-yellow with a 1+-finger whitish head.

S: "Yeasty" is the word that comes to mind. Banana esters, some bubblegum and generic fruitiness. Touch of citrus (lemony, maybe even lemon peel).

T: Initially I was surprised by the fruitiness and tart finish, as I thought this was an American Pale Wheat Ale. I get berries and black cherries and a good wheat twangy tartness at the finish. Also a touch of bananas and some modest lemony citrus. Finishes fairly clean with a neutral aftertaste.

M: Carbonation is prickly, but not offensive or intrusive. Heft is light.

O: Good stuff. I'm not a huge fan of a lot of tartness in my beer, so I probably won't come back to this one, but I can appreciate a good beer even if it's outside of my wheelhouse.

Serving type: can

06-19-2012 21:31:05 | More by Kendo

Gambrinus1184

Connecticut

4.38/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 16-ounce can into a Relic Brewing Co. imperial nonic pint glass.

A: Somewhat hazy, golden orange color with great clarity and plenty of carbonation beneath a thin head of bone white foam that disappears quickly.

S: Funky wheat, lemony spices and herbal, grassy, citrus hops proceeded by lemon zest and minty gum.

T: Tart, sweet and juicy up front with plenty of fruity malt esters thrown in the mix. A tropical, peppery banana flavor grips around mid-palate before breaking with an herbal, tart and drying front of bubblegum esters. The finish is sweet and dry with a lingering hint of tart, lemon bitterness and a wheaty, yeast twang.

M: Light, crisp, flavorful and well-balanced with a dry, yet somewhat puckering tartness.

O: Hell of a quenching, tart summer weizen with plenty of balance, carbonation and light, fruity citrus flavors to keep you going. At 5.2% ABV, this packs a lot of flavor for a sessionable beer and I'd pack it in a cooler to and from the beach for sure.

Serving type: can

06-18-2012 22:58:01 | More by Gambrinus1184

DrDemento456

Pennsylvania

4.03/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Not sure why I can't find this around my area. Ordered it from halftime beverage for around 2.50.

A - Pouring it into a nice 16oz Guinness pint glass. Color is a light clear sun-bright yellow with a 1/2 inch of head that fizzes out rather quickly to a mild lace ring.

S - Smell is minimal but intriguing with fruity yeasts, citrus hops, and a touch of banana or clove spice.

T - Fizzy and light with mostly clove spice twang then a touch of sweet like banana malt and ends with a mild bit of sweet citrus hops. The taste is actually quite good with carbonation giving it a lighter feel.

M - Again light to medium in body and the work fizzy comes to mind almost like a sparking champagne.

Overall this is a well crafted beer relying on more than the typical sixpoint bittering hops or fruity yeast. The combination of the two along with some Hefe tones is very enjoyable. Will seek a six pack if it comes around here for summer releases.

Serving type: can

06-18-2012 05:20:22 | More by DrDemento456

GarthDanielson

New Hampshire

4.35/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a can into a true pint, the beer is a hazy, deep, honey-orange coloring with a thin film of head coating the surface. Steady, abundant flow of carbonation in the glass as you drink. Aromas of honey, citrus, banana, and clove spicing on a toasted wheat backbone. Flavors are light and very well blended, with a supersweet kick of floral and citrus tang at the end of the palate. Roasted backbone remains light, with toasty grains and banana blending together very nicely. Light and smooth in mouth, and the carbonation keeps things on the border of effervescent. Fruity combination on the aftertaste, with some berry notes joining the banana and citrus blending. Smooth, clean aftertaste that is a touchy frothy from the carbonation. Tasty brew, and extremely thirst quenching on a hot day.

Serving type: can

06-16-2012 00:38:28 | More by GarthDanielson

fmccormi

New York

3.98/5  rDev +1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Straight pour from 16oz can to 0.5L Weihenstephen traditional weisse glass I picked up in Austria in 2007, I believe. Still don’t know how I got this glass back in one piece, but I’m grateful for it! Can has a freshness date of September 1, 2012 (“BEST BEFORE 01SEP2012 1845 OK+”) printed in black ink on the kick-up of the can.

Appearance (3.5): Four fingers of white head rise quickly, but dies down at a visible pace, making kind of loud crackling sounds—mixture of coarse and medium-sized bubbles. The body is a slightly hazy, dark straw-yellow color, and pretty. Carbonation visibly and slowly rises to the top. Almost no lacing as the head finally dies down.

Smell (4.0): Hay, bubblegum, some fruit (light orange, banana, some melon), and nice, wheaty malt. Definitely yeast-driven here, lacking much spicy character (although there is some pepperiness in the back) and going more toward fruit and straw.

Taste (4.0): Very fruity, with some banana and melon character (like honeydew), very mild pepper in the back, and no hops to speak of. The wheat malts are light, crisp, and finish slightly tart—just barely, really—which to me is ideal for a good wheat beer, regardless of style. That tartness adds a different, slightly lemony character into the mix, which ends up being a subtle but welcome addition here. Very tasty, though.

Mouthfeel (4.0): Carbonation is light and playful, pairing nicely with this light-bodied quaffer. It finishes surprisingly dry, too, making this a beer that really invites more and more sipping. You want drinkability? Here you go.

Overall (4.0): Kristalweizen is a style I’m not as familiar with—I think I’m more accustomed to those full-bodied hefes and super-spicy wits, neither of which are usually my bag. This is tasty, and looking over the style description I think this actually fits it to a T. My only real complaint is that I thought the appearance was a bit lacking, though the body is quite pretty, mainly because I’m a sucker for a thick head and aggressive carbonation. This is a good beer though, and it’s nice to see this added to the Sixpoint lineup. That said . . . Sixpoint, you had BETTER get Harbinger in cans next year! We need more widely-available saisons, damnit.

Serving type: can

06-15-2012 03:24:04 | More by fmccormi

thecheapies

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Best by August 18, 2012.

Rushing bubbly carbonation forms a coarse white head that ushers gas faster than it can hold the rich head it wanted to. Some straggles of yeast fell into my light orange brew. Pretty decent clarity, nonetheless.

Rich ripe banana and reeling clove esters seduce my nose. Sweet wheat malts lock onto a foothold of the beer aroma like a dropping curtain. Great character.

Crisp lemony hops propose to tart banana and very spicy clove yeast esters, all of which burp through the nose with extra flavor. Crusty bread nuances blanch the peppery spice of steely by-products. Plus-plus quality for a Brooklyn brewery. Authentic and tasty.

Elegant feel with smooth body and rifled carb.

Great brew! Thanks to Brian for scoring me a four-pack!

Serving type: can

06-14-2012 04:58:28 | More by thecheapies

Duff27

Illinois

3.58/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Best by 18AUG2012

A- Inch tall white fluffy head on a murky dull gold colored body. Decent head retention (foam cap on surface) and some lacing left over.

S- Aroma can be smelled a foot away and consists of mostly bananas with a little bit of clove-like spiciness.

T- Follows the nose but to a lesser extent. Flavors seem dumbed down. Small banana aftertaste. Easy drinking.

M- Almost too carbonated for my tastes...taste profile could come off better if it were toned down a tad I believe. Medium mouthfeel.

D/O- I was really looking forward to this one and the pleasant aromas had me salivating, after that it was downhill. Still, definitely not a bad beer. Would have again and hope to enjoy as much as other BAs seem to be.

Serving type: can

06-14-2012 03:15:52 | More by Duff27

Brent

Kentucky

3.18/5  rDev -19.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Pour was surprisingly turbid for a kristalweizen. Golden color with a dense head and finely suspended particulate. Soft mouthfeel, with vague banana notes and a bready, wheaty finish. Went a touch medicinal toward the very end, but not enough to throw the flavor profile off. A bit more sweet than average, with some sugary flavor in the middle. Good, but not more than that.

Serving type: can

06-13-2012 21:39:17 | More by Brent

BB1313

Ohio

2.45/5  rDev -37.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2

16oz can poured into a tulip. Pours a hazy golden/burnt orange; nice fluffy white head which eventually fades, lots of legs, decent lacing and retention; looks nice. The aromas are subtle. They're nice, but not too aggresive. But this isn't an aggressive style. There's alot of funky yeast along with your typical banana and bubblegum. The flavors are interesting. Wow, this is TART! Very sweet, almost sour! I can't get past the sweetness, it diminishes everything else going on. It has alot of Hefe characteristics. I'm picking up alot of green apple and pear. There's obviously no bitterness. This reminds me ALOT of a Berliner Weissbier, which I wasn't expecting, but hey they're both German. The flavors are also very one-note, which hurts the more I drink it. Mouthfeel is nice, light, and it has the right amount of carbonation. This is a nice wheat beer to enjoy on a hot day, it's just not one I'd like to drink alot of. It's easy to drink due to low abv, but the sourness takes a toll.

I didn't find this beer too enjoyable. I guess I'm the minority because people seem to really enjoy this one.

Serving type: can

06-13-2012 18:29:35 | More by BB1313

Brenden

Ohio

3.9/5  rDev -1%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This one pours out a deep, dark yellow, almost but not quite amber, and develops a very spritzy and loose white head that doesn't last particularly long. To be honest, I'm a little surprised based on certain reviews. Not much spotty lacing is left on the glass, but enough to keep an average appearance as I see it.
Expecting an APWA, I was a little surprised to smell the banana and clove typical of particular German lagers. It's a very nice aroma, at once light and yet with a certain strength. Wheat and a touch of lemon make for a well-rounded, balanced, and fairly complex beer.
The flavor follows suit with a bit of lemony fresh tartness coming out more strongly along with a green apple taste. The malts are a bit bready as well.
This beer is light and crisp and quite dry, though not entirely. It seems like it needs to crispness in order to have any smoothness to it. It's not thin, per se, but verges on it.

Serving type: can

06-13-2012 08:47:17 | More by Brenden

MDDMD

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A-golden color with a small white head and no significant lacing

S-wheat, bananas, cloves, slight citrus and spices

T-bananas, cloves, nice wheat character and slightly tart bite at the finish

F-light body with moderate carbonation, nice crisp, dry mouthfeel

O-a nice weizen that will be enjoyable in the summer months ahead

Serving type: can

06-12-2012 23:35:13 | More by MDDMD

BEERchitect

Kentucky

3/5  rDev -23.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Well suited for warmer weather, nothing quenches the thirst like kristalweizen. Less bready and yeasty than their unadulterated Hefe, but with more flavor and body than lagers, these allow soft herbal hops to cleans the palate with a gentle bready aftertaste.

Apolo pours from the can with a burnish yellow color and a less-than-kristal clarity with a somewhat dull haze. An airy head is quickly released and then as quickly colapses with somewhat fizzy notion. With no lace and low retention, the beer struggles to win the eyeball test.

A mix of bready wheat and raw grain give sweeter and richer impressions while a mild background decor of clove, lemon, and apples provide a glimpse into the estery, spicy balance. Taut vanilla and banana continue to display complexities as the beer warms.

Partly of wheat and partly grainy-sweet, the initial taste is lightly yeasty, doughy, bready, and saccharine-rich. Mild fruit acidity of green apples, lemon, and oranges help to balance the malt sweetness and provides the bridge toward an earthy hop bitterness with a sprinkle of clove spice in aftertaste.

Medium bodied, the filtered quality of the beer seems incomplete as it allows for the bready texture to persist, thus not providing the crisp and clean acidic finish that I expect. Still, a dimple of grain emptiness leaves the mid palate less than stellar.

The beer simply seems incomplete in it's true kristalweizen character. It's lackluster yeast character of true hefeweizens with its mere semi-clean taste and texture, the beer comes off like most of the inferior American pale wheat ale style. For more authentic taste, look toward Weihenstephaner Kristalweissbier.

Serving type: can

06-12-2012 16:28:45 | More by BEERchitect

korguy123

Ontario (Canada)

4.45/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Can into imperial glass. Best before September 1st, 2012

A- Slightly hazy yellow/golden pour. Short lived fizzy white head. Lacing is minimal.

S- Apples, pears, bananas and cloves. Nice and light.

T- Apples, pears, slight lemon, bananas and cloves. Very refreshing and not as sweet as a typical Kristalweizen. It has a nice "twang" to it.

M- Light bodied, good carbonation and a lingering banana aftertaste.

O- I can really see what all the fuss is about. This is a stellar beer.

Serving type: can

06-11-2012 23:42:17 | More by korguy123

jlindros

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Yay, who doesn't love tall boy cans. Another up for my summer beers.

it pours with a nice fizzy 1+ finger head that fades fairly quickly, but leaves a bit of lacing, over semi hazy orange honey colored beer.

Nose definitely hefe like, plenty of wheat aromas, strong wheat, but not overbearing. Plenty of citrus, light orange zest, and tons of banana. But there is an interesting lightness and crispness like aroma that I can't really label otherwise.

Taste starts creamy, lots of creamy wheat flavors, wheat galore again, fluffy as well. Then citrus again, light orange zest and tart citrus juice like, and plenty of banana again, with a juicy complexion. However, overall it has a lighter and crisper feel than a typical hefe, and less overbearing. There is a light bitterness that seems to come from the orange rind flavors, and light coriander. Finish is more tart orange zest and very light bitterness, hints of wheat flavors and banana lingering, slightly dry but sticky and mild sweetness. The tartness really starts to build the more I drink it.

Mouth is med to lighter bodied, lots of carbonation.

Overall not bad, nice wheat flavors that add enough lightness to not be overbearing but starts to build a bit too much, finish is not as dry as I expected either, but nice banana and citrus flavors, fairly drinkable but not as much as I expected it to be. Still fairly tasty beer.

Serving type: can

06-11-2012 00:51:02 | More by jlindros

HuskyinPDX

Washington

3.93/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A - Can pours a cloudy light orange with a cream-colored small head that fades to a film quickly.

S - Lemon, tart Belgian spices.

T - Tart lemon and wheat.

D - Good carbonation and a medium to light body.

O - Almost like a Belgian IPA, but called a tart summer wheat on the can. I can't argue with that.

Serving type: can

06-10-2012 21:55:58 | More by HuskyinPDX

barnzy78

Illinois

3.6/5  rDev -8.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

16oz can, pours a hazy golden color with a thin white head that leaves little lacing on the glass. Aromas are bold with mainly wheat and fruity yeast. Tastes are wheat, banana, yeast, biscuity, bready, and sweet. It's medium bodied with ample carbonation. Overall, good interpretation of the style, but not as good as expected.

Serving type: can

06-10-2012 17:32:28 | More by barnzy78

FickleBeast

New Jersey

3.55/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

16 oz pounder poured into a nonic.

As soon as I pop the top of the can, a nice banana/bubblegum aroma wafts up to my nose. Pours a cloudy yellow color with a half finger of foam that fades away quickly without lacing. Carbonation seems a bit low for a wheat beer.

First sip is filled with a wheaty malt sweetness and bubblegum aftertaste. No hops to speak of. Yeast is the dominant component of this brew for sure.

This is a decent brew, but nothing that really excites me. There is a nice banana flavor from the yeast and a good amount of sweet wheat flavor, but much else.

Serving type: can

06-10-2012 01:43:38 | More by FickleBeast

VncentLIFE

North Carolina

3.78/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

I know Im tearing through the reviews tonight. thanks dakkon54!

Pour is a bit lighter than a hefe, but a bit cloudy for a kristall. I expect kristall clear body, this one is a bit cloudy. Initial huge white head has disappeared.

The smell isnt as strong as other Kristalls. Lots of bubble gum and banana, but too much of the malt comes through. I want it to smell like straight esters from the yeast. It gets more fruity the longer I smell.

The taste is different, for sure. It wants to be dominated by the yeast esters, but theres a twangy sour thing that just kills every flavor almost instantaneously. Its almost like Bells Oarsman, the slight note of sour just kind of hangs around with the yeast flavors, but never really meshes 100%.

Its like theres two camps here. Initial tastes are all yeast driven. Then when those die the acid malt just comes in. its like theres no connection

Serving type: can

06-09-2012 02:36:32 | More by VncentLIFE

greybeardloon

Rhode Island

3.9/5  rDev -1%
look: 2 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

Best before 18 August 2012

A: Cloudy for the style, but I'm not sure if Sixpoint considers this a kristalweizen. A soda-like head that disappears quickly.

S: Sweet banana yeast by-products. After that, cloves and other warm spices.

T: Sweet banana and lots of spice. Not so clovy, but the cloves are there. There's also a distinct tartness. Except for the tartness, it's pretty close to what I expect from the style. I'm tempted to squeeze a lemon into it.

M: Fairly thin and bubbly.

O: Very drinkable.

Update: On August 17, I drank a bottle that was best before August 17. The tartness was much more prominent then than I remembered it being.

Serving type: can

06-09-2012 00:20:38 | More by greybeardloon

WastingFreetime

Wisconsin

3.53/5  rDev -10.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Reviewed from session notes.

Poured into a weizen glass, murky burnt muddy orange color with a flash head and no real lacing. Very nice tart "lemoney fresh" aroma and flavor over a smooth and richly textured medium-heavy wheaty malt body. Puckery almost Berliner-Weiss character overall. In fact, if I were to blind taste this I would have categorized it as a Berliner Weiss...and that is the only reason why I didn't rate it any higher than I did...because the beer seems to be marketed as a standard weiss and it came across as somewhat misleading in that regard despite being delicious.

Serving type: can

06-08-2012 01:05:50 | More by WastingFreetime